Military Academy Student Exchange (IC/MT/Invite-only)

[Trad Bosnia]

The United Socialist States of Blagorgansk and the Kingdom of Bosnia-Herzegovina have agreed to an officer cadet exchange.
Ground Forces officer cadets from Bosnia will temporarily study at the Blagorgansk Military Academy whilst Army officer cadets from Blagorgansk will attend the Royal Military Academy Prača (RMAP).

[Blagorgansk]

A Sukhoi Superjet 100 lands at a Bosnian airfield. It is a chartered plane, as the government of Blagorgansk wanted to make a good first impression on the cadets. It is staffed by Blagorussian flight attendants, mostly women with fair hair. There is one man and one women with dark hair also on the five person flight attendant staff. Civilian pilots, older heavy men, stand next to the door to greet the passengers.

There is room for up to 75 cadets. Four Blagorussian Army officers safe on board, two standing outside to greet the cadets. If only a few cadets will be traveling, it will be no problem for the plane. This aircraft is still more fuel efficient than military aircraft or smaller jets.

Radio signals the cadets to exit the waiting area and line up to enter the aircraft.

[Trad Bosnia]

(Image)

A Sukhoi Superjet 100 lands at a Bosnian airfield. It is a chartered plane, as the government of Blagorgansk wanted to make a good first impression on the cadets. It is staffed by Blagorussian flight attendants, mostly women with fair hair. There is one man and one women with dark hair also on the five person flight attendant staff. Civilian pilots, older heavy men, stand next to the door to greet the passengers.

There is room for up to 75 cadets. Four Blagorussian Army officers safe on board, two standing outside to greet the cadets. If only a few cadets will be traveling, it will be no problem for the plane. This aircraft is still more fuel efficient than military aircraft or smaller jets.

Radio signals the cadets to exit the waiting area and line up to enter the aircraft.

IC:
75 Bosnian Ground Forces cadets are also on a plane, being also attended on mostly by women with fair hair (and there are two women with dark hair). As for the cadets themselves,
8 are women and their ages range from 20 to 30. With the exception of four Croats and a Jew, all are Muslim.
The cadet's hair colours are obviously irrelevant.

[Blagorgansk]

(OOC: The plane I mentioned was sent to pick up your cadets. Our cadets haven’t left just yet, but will be described shortly.)

As the Bosnian cadets loaded onto the planet, the Blagorussian officers and pilots greeted each one. The boarding process was quick. The ranking officer spoke over the intercom.

“Ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to your first experience with the Blagorussian military. We have hired our best pilots and most modern aircraft to receive you. You are future leaders. We hope things you learn with us will carry onto your military careers. Lesson one is courtesy. This courtesy we have shown you is how you should also treat allied military officers and personnel.”

He continued speaking until the plane began rolling down the runway. The pilots then spoke over intercom. He mentioned a little about the trip and the weather. It would be a long bumpy flight. It wasn’t long until the plane was in the air. Drink service came a little later, starting once the aircraft leveled off.

One of the Army officers approached one of the female cadets as he made his way down the aisle. “You miss… What is your name? Tell me why you want to be an army officer. Are you excited to study in Blagorgansk?”

[Trad Bosnia]

“You miss… What is your name? Tell me why you want to be an army officer. Are you excited to study in Blagorgansk?”

"My name is Merjem Alić, sir, I want to be an Army officer because I want to defend my homeland which is Bosnia, my King, who is King Youssef, and my religion which is Islam.
I am very excited to study in your country, kind sir."
She was 21 years old and was a white woman with light brown hair and rosy cheeks. She was 5 feet and 9 inches tall and slender with some muscles.

[Blagorgansk]

“Very good, cadet Alić“, said the Blagorussian officer. He appeared just under 40 years old with hair cut quite short. He seemed a little heavy but still in shape. A faded scar ran down his left cheek. “I am Major Gregor Ilyich. I am senior instructor at the academy. There will be lots to learn, but it will be a great experience.”

He went on to speak with other cadets. The officers had already been looking for standouts and anyone with personality.

[Trad Bosnia]

“Very good, cadet Alić“, said the Blagorussian officer. He appeared just under 40 years old with hair cut quite short. He seemed a little heavy but still in shape. A faded scar ran down his left cheek. “I am Major Gregor Ilyich. I am senior instructor at the academy. There will be lots to learn, but it will be a great experience.”

He went on to speak with other cadets. The officers had already been looking for standouts and anyone with personality.

IC:
"My name is Mojsije Alkalaj, I want to be an Army officer out of gratitude to my country in which I have a good standard of living, am safe and am free to practice my Jewish faith.
I am looking forward to studying in your country."
said the only Jewish cadet.


"My name is Abdulhamid Fazlić
,I want to be Army officer as I've been a soldier since the age of sixteen-and-a-half and am looking forward to taking this grave responsibility, improving the military and advancing my career.
I am looking forward to studying in your country, especially to see the greater equality of classes. "
said the oldest cadet.


"My name is Roxselanne Hadžić,
I want to be an Army officer to help people and make my parents, especially my father proud.
I am looking forward to studying in your country, especially to see the greater equality of genders. "
said the another of the female cadets.

"My name is Noa Horvat,
I want to be an Army officer to defend Herzegovina, out of family tradition and out of loyalty to the King.
I am looking forward to studying in your country, especially to see your different system of government "
Said a Croat cadet.

[Blagorgansk]

After speaking with the cadets, the Blagorussian officers met near the front of the aircraft. They spoke about who they talked to and what they noticed. They would be determining leaders for the class’s squads. Junior leaders would be responsible for keeping track of their classmates.

The flight went deep into the night. Cadets were given water and juice. Afternoon snacks were followed with dinner later in the evening. There was a choice of chicken or fish as the main course. They could also choose between rice or noodles. Pasta was offered as a vegetarian alternative.

After several hours an announcement was made to prepare for landing. The aircraft touched down at a rather desolate looking airfield deep in Blagorgansk. It was about 10pm or 2200 hours. The students formed up in rows of 15 when they exited the plane.

“When I call your name, fall out of formation and move to the first spot on your row.” This meant they had to take one step backwards and jog to the far right of their line.

“Merjem Alić, Mojsije Alkalaj, Abdulhamid Fazlić, Roxselanne Hadžić, and Noa Horvat… Fall out to the lead spot of your line… If two of you are in the same line, find a line which has not been claimed.”

As the cadets moved, the Major added, “you are the squad leaders of the group. You must help keep track of your squad. You are responsible for them. First formation is at 0600 hours.”

A group of 5 buses pulled up. It would take them to the housing area. Each group of 15 would stay in a large cabin. There were 5 rooms with four beds each, leaving room for the cadets to spread out. A dining area was in the middle of the cabins. There were also two fairly large classroom buildings. Facilities including an obstacle course and rifle ranges could be seen along the way.

Trucks also came to unload their bags from the plane and bring those to the housing area as well.

[Trad Bosnia]

After speaking with the cadets, the Blagorussian officers met near the front of the aircraft. They spoke about who they talked to and what they noticed. They would be determining leaders for the class’s squads. Junior leaders would be responsible for keeping track of their classmates.

The flight went deep into the night. Cadets were given water and juice. Afternoon snacks were followed with dinner later in the evening. There was a choice of chicken or fish as the main course. They could also choose between rice or noodles. Pasta was offered as a vegetarian alternative.

After several hours an announcement was made to prepare for landing. The aircraft touched down at a rather desolate looking airfield deep in Blagorgansk. It was about 10pm or 2200 hours. The students formed up in rows of 15 when they exited the plane.

“When I call your name, fall out of formation and move to the first spot on your row.” This meant they had to take one step backwards and jog to the far right of their line.

“Merjem Alić, Mojsije Alkalaj, Abdulhamid Fazlić, Roxselanne Hadžić, and Noa Horvat… Fall out to the lead spot of your line… If two of you are in the same line, find a line which has not been claimed.”

As the cadets moved, the Major added, “you are the squad leaders of the group. You must help keep track of your squad. You are responsible for them. First formation is at 0600 hours.”

A group of 5 buses pulled up. It would take them to the housing area. Each group of 15 would stay in a large cabin. There were 5 rooms with four beds each, leaving room for the cadets to spread out. A dining area was in the middle of the cabins. There were also two fairly large classroom buildings. Facilities including an obstacle course and rifle ranges could be seen along the way.

Trucks also came to unload their bags from the plane and bring those to the housing area as well.

IC: They follow their orders, only one of them is a vegetarian, another of the female cadets (who was not chosen as a squad leader).

[Blagorgansk]

When morning comes, the officers meet with the squad leaders at 5AM. They must be in formation at 0600 hours in exercise clothing. They will start with stretching, calisthenics and a 2.5 mile jog just to keep everyone loose and prepare for more intense workouts.

At the formation, two Blagorussian attack helicopters fly over the formation to welcome the cadets and motivate them.

[Trad Bosnia]

When morning comes, the officers meet with the squad leaders at 5AM. They must be in formation at 0600 hours in exercise clothing. They will start with stretching, calisthenics and a 2.5 mile jog just to keep everyone loose and prepare for more intense workouts.

At the formation, two Blagorussian attack helicopters fly over the formation to welcome the cadets and motivate them.

IC: The Squad Leaders are early to the meeting and are in formation exactly on time.
They Blagorussian helicopters are enthusiastically welcomed by the cadets as they exercise.

[Blagorgansk]

After the stretching and warm up exercises, they take off for a slow run in formation. They sing cadence calls which time their jogging. If any cadets are slower than the pace, a slower group of runners is made from any who fall back.

It is a beautiful run through a woodland environment. The dirt path leads them through many tall, dark green trees of both leaf and pine. They see more rifle ranges and a campsite where tents are pitched.

After the jog, there is a competition. A relay race between each of the squads. Each runner sprints 50 meters down and 50 meters back before passing a baton to the next teammate.

[Trad Bosnia]

After the stretching and warm up exercises, they take off for a slow run in formation. They sing cadence calls which time their jogging. If any cadets are slower than the pace, a slower group of runners is made from any who fall back.

It is a beautiful run through a woodland environment. The dirt path leads them through many tall, dark green trees of both leaf and pine. They see more rifle ranges and a campsite where tents are pitched.

After the jog, there is a competition. A relay race between each of the squads. Each runner sprints 50 meters down and 50 meters back before passing a baton to the next teammate.

IC: The winning team is the one lead by Squad Leader Fazlić, the losing team is the one lead by Squad Leader Alkalaj, a small number of the soldiers on his squad are Anti-Semitic and ,as a chain is only as strong as it's weakest link, they manage to ruin it for everyone else.

Squad leader Alkalaj asked his team "Are any of you ill?"

[Blagorgansk]

The losing team is ordered to do extra pushups. The cadre hopes the shared challenges will force them together. They didn’t hear any discriminatory remarks, but if they did those cadets would be in major trouble. Cadet Alkalaj must also complete the push-ups with his soldiers.

While doing so the instructors lecture them on teamwork, discipline and working harder. “You are all one team, act like it.” The instructors couldn’t tell the root of the problem, but they saw hints of bad attitudes or lack of effort.

The students had time to shower and eat breakfast before the morning’s task.

[Trad Bosnia]

The losing team is ordered to do extra pushups. The cadre hopes the shared challenges will force them together. They didn’t hear any discriminatory remarks, but if they did those cadets would be in major trouble. Cadet Alkalaj must also complete the push-ups with his soldiers.

While doing so the instructors lecture them on teamwork, discipline and working harder. “You are all one team, act like it.” The instructors couldn’t tell the root of the problem, but they saw hints of bad attitudes or lack of effort.

The students had time to shower and eat breakfast before the morning’s task.

IC: The students all complete their push-ups, shower and eat breakfast. They then wait for their orders as to the next task.

[Blagorgansk]

They are informed the next step is a rifle range. This includes pop up targets with 15 lanes. Each squad lines up and takes their turn together. Any students who need extra practice shoot after the last squad in groups of up to 15. It takes some time.

Lunch is served at the rifle range. Trucks bring out containers of food and serve them from truckbeds. The classes march back and must prepare for a brief class.

[Trad Bosnia]

They are informed the next step is a rifle range. This includes pop up targets with 15 lanes. Each squad lines up and takes their turn together. Any students who need extra practice shoot after the last squad in groups of up to 15. It takes some time.

Lunch is served at the rifle range. Trucks bring out containers of food and serve them from truckbeds. The classes march back and must prepare for a brief class.

IC: the same team that came first before did the best in the rifle range but the team that did the worst last time actually came second best now.

[Blagorgansk]

No punishments are given. Instead students are told how important this skill is, even for officers. They will likely return to the range at a later date.

A large auditorium style class room awaits the students after a short break of personal time in the living area. They are told they may be able to visit a gym in the classroom building later in the day, where they can play basketball or soccer in a field behind the building.

The classroom itself is well ventilated, well illuminated and clean. Students don’t have to sit with their squads.

Meanwhile, the aircraft which brought the Bosnian cadets to Blagorgansk is reloading. This time the passengers are 75 Blagorussian cadets. They will arrive late the next morning, knowing they’ll have to sleep on the plane.

[Trad Bosnia]

No punishments are given. Instead students are told how important this skill is, even for officers. They will likely return to the range at a later date.

A large auditorium style class room awaits the students after a short break of personal time in the living area. They are told they may be able to visit a gym in the classroom building later in the day, where they can play basketball or soccer in a field behind the building.

The classroom itself is well ventilated, well illuminated and clean. Students don’t have to sit with their squads.

Meanwhile, the aircraft which brought the Bosnian cadets to Blagorgansk is reloading. This time the passengers are 75 Blagorussian cadets. They will arrive late the next morning, knowing they’ll have to sleep on the plane.

IC: Most of them choose soccer is it is more popular than basketball in Bosnia but 12% choose basketball. They wait for their orders as to who play against who and when.

[Blagorgansk]

Before they get to play sports is the class. The students are questioned between lecturing. It appears the officers have noticed Cadet Fazlić. Since he is a prior soldier, he seems to be standing out well throughout the tasks.

“As you all know”, said the Major. “Officers are leaders. Some of you here may run the army one day. I’m interested in your opinions on what you think is important for a successful military. There must be cohesion. Your entire forces must work as one unit. That means you need more than the best tanks and strongest soldiers. Make sure your logistics forces are powerful also. Supply. Repair. Food. Take that away from the enemy and you will win wars.”

“Teamwork. Cadet Fazlić”, said the Major turning to him. “What are some of the important parts of a well run unit? What would you demand of your soldiers and equipment?”

[Trad Bosnia]

“What are some of the important parts of a well run unit"

"Camaraderie between the troops, bravery, a sense of moral decency, obedience to the law and obedience to authority."

What would you demand of your soldiers and equipment?”

"I would demand that the soldiers keep themselves fit physically and mentally.
I would demand that they conduct themselves in an honourable fashion at all times, especially when on duty and/or in uniform.
I would demand that they are willing to risk their lives to perform their duties, especially as regards the saving of their comrades.
I would demand that they do not show any racialist,
anti-Semitic, misogynistic, anti-religious or seditious attitudes.
I would demand they keep equipment in as good a state of repair as can be possible given their other duties and that it is at all times at least functional."

[Blagorgansk]

“Those are great things. Just remember that the demands should not interfere with that camaraderie. If so it can sap all of the energy out of the unit. This next word is important. Motivation. Make sure your units are always motivated. Make them also want to be what you demand of them. Make them also desire to have well maintained equipment and have them want to be reliable for each other. It can’t just be about punishment.”

Towards the end of the lecture they spoke about tactics. “So we know there are different branches to an army. There are armored units… Tanks and armored vehicles are the mainstay. There is light infantry, wheeled infantry. There is artillery and air defense. Of course there are outliers like signal-communication units.. Chemical warfare, mainly response… Cadet Horvat, how would you build a fighting force tailored to a desert-urban unit? Which sub unit types of what branches would you hope to use?”

[Trad Bosnia]

Cadet Horvat, how would you build a fighting force tailored to a desert-urban unit? Which sub unit types of what branches would you hope to use?”

"Air defence, light infantry, wheeled infantry, light armoured and artillery, sir!" replies Cadet Horvat.

[Blagorgansk]

“Very sound plan, Cadet Horvat”, the major replied. “It makes sense to bring different assets. Air defense artillery, infantry, armor, field artillery. There is a name for this.. Combined arms doctrine. So it makes sense that you want these units to be used to working with each other. They should train together often. This is where we see nations build troop organization within divisions and brigades using combined arms doctrine. In a Brigade of 5000 soldiers, different branches should be a part of that unit. In a division of 10,000 soldiers, there should be varied brigades further pushing combined arms doctrine, but with slight differences in the brigades to build to that category.”

He asked another cadet, “but what are we forgetting?” The answer was correct. “Right. Supply, logistics. Maintenance to repair… Medical units.. And this includes within each infantry battalion of 1000 soldiers, and within armored units, and inside of artillery battalions. So we see how everything blends together. Back up your supply lines. Reinforce your units with combined arms doctrine to the smallest troop level you can. Any questions?”

If there were no questions, they would be released for 90 minutes of sports before dinner. They’d then have training organized by their squad leaders until the last formation at 8pm or 2000 hours. After that it would be a free time until the next morning.

[Trad Bosnia]

“Very sound plan, Cadet Horvat”, the major replied. “It makes sense to bring different assets. Air defense artillery, infantry, armor, field artillery. There is a name for this.. Combined arms doctrine. So it makes sense that you want these units to be used to working with each other. They should train together often. This is where we see nations build troop organization within divisions and brigades using combined arms doctrine. In a Brigade of 5000 soldiers, different branches should be a part of that unit. In a division of 10,000 soldiers, there should be varied brigades further pushing combined arms doctrine, but with slight differences in the brigades to build to that category.”

He asked another cadet, “but what are we forgetting?” The answer was correct. “Right. Supply, logistics. Maintenance to repair… Medical units.. And this includes within each infantry battalion of 1000 soldiers, and within armored units, and inside of artillery battalions. So we see how everything blends together. Back up your supply lines. Reinforce your units with combined arms doctrine to the smallest troop level you can. Any questions?”

If there were no questions, they would be released for 90 minutes of sports before dinner. They’d then have training organized by their squad leaders until the last formation at 8pm or 2000 hours. After that it would be a free time until the next morning.

IC: The team that came last in the relay race at the start came second in the sports, the team that came first was Abdulhamid Fazlić's team.
OOC: Can we type your guys arriving now?